USTP reflects on its journey, reimagines its future in 2026 Charter Day celebration
By Roque P. Bermudez and Anne Lorraine R. Sitoy, STRATCOMM, USTP System
Share:
The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) turned its Charter Day celebration into more than a commemoration of its institutional milestone. It became a moment for the University community to pause, look back on its journey, recognize the people and partnerships that have shaped its growth, and look ahead to the institution it seeks to become.
Held from August 17 to 20, 2026, the USTP Charter Day Celebration brought together faculty, personnel, students, partners, and stakeholders through activities centered on the University’s identity, innovation, collaboration, talent, and institutional aspirations.
The celebration carried the theme “Reflect,” the second part of USTP’s Centennial theme, “Relive, Reflect, Reimagine.” More than a theme, it provided a lens through which the University examined its accomplishments and continuing responsibilities as it moves closer to its centennial year.
A celebration rooted in identity and purpose
The celebration opened on August 17 with the Flag Raising Ceremony and Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, gathering members of the USTP community and its stakeholders in a shared expression of gratitude and reflection.
The opening activities set the tone for a celebration that looked beyond institutional accomplishments. They underscored the people, relationships, and shared purpose behind the University’s continuing journey.
As USTP approaches a century of institutional history, reflection becomes particularly significant. It allows the University to recognize how far it has come while considering how its experiences can inform the next chapter of its development.
Turning reflection into innovation
The second day, August 18, placed innovation and intellectual property at the center of the celebration through the World IP Day Activities.
The activities highlighted the importance of protecting and advancing ideas—an increasingly vital dimension of a university whose mission is closely tied to science, technology, education, and innovation.
A key milestone was the inauguration of the Innovation Hub at USTP Alubijid, strengthening the University’s environment for technology-driven initiatives and innovation.
But the day’s celebration also reflected another dimension of university life: the people who make the institution work.
The USTP Personnel Sports Championship Games and Awarding Ceremonies brought faculty and personnel together through basketball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball. Beyond competition, the activity underscored teamwork, camaraderie, and wellness as essential to building a connected University community.
Partnerships that move the University forward
If innovation represents ideas that can shape the future, partnerships provide the connections that can help turn those ideas into impact.
This came into focus on August 19 through the Tribute to Partners, which recognized government and private-sector partners whose support has contributed to USTP’s initiatives and institutional goals.
The recognition was followed by the Academe-Industry-Government Community (AIGC) Council Formation and Organization Meeting, bringing together representatives from key sectors to strengthen collaboration and establish mechanisms for sustained engagement.
University System President Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II led the formation and organization meeting and delivered the opening remarks, expressing gratitude to the University’s partners.
The activities reflected a broader reality of USTP’s growth: advancing higher education and innovation cannot happen in isolation. Stronger connections among academe, industry, government, and the wider community create opportunities for knowledge, technology, and expertise to move beyond the University and contribute to society.
Yet the day was not defined solely by institutional partnerships.
The University community also took center stage through RITMO: USTP’s Latin Dance Showcase and ESCENA: USTP’s Films on Stage, giving participating offices and personnel opportunities to transform creativity and collaboration into performance.
From remembering the past to imagining what comes next
On August 20, the celebration shifted its focus more deliberately toward the future through EMERGE: USTP Towards 100.
The activity served as a forward-looking platform as USTP continued its preparations toward its centennial milestone. Dr. Cultura officially opened the event with his welcome address, emphasizing the University’s direction and aspirations as it moves toward its next chapter.
The future, however, is shaped not only by plans and aspirations but also by the people who carry them forward.
Through the PRAISE Awards, the University recognized individuals and groups whose accomplishments, contributions, and commitment have helped advance USTP’s institutional goals.
The recognition of people was complemented by developments in the University’s physical and learning infrastructure.
The groundbreaking of the SMART Building at USTP Jasaan and the inauguration of the ITC Hub at USTP Panaon, led by Dr. Cultura, marked additional milestones in USTP’s continuing development of facilities and learning environments.
Together, these developments pointed toward a University preparing not simply to celebrate 100 years, but to build the capacity needed for the years that follow.
One University, moving toward 100
Across four days, the 2026 Charter Day celebration brought together seemingly different aspects of university life: thanksgiving and identity, innovation and intellectual property, sports and wellness, partnerships and sectoral collaboration, creativity and talent, recognition and infrastructure development.
As USTP moves closer to its centennial, the significance of Charter Day extends beyond remembering the institution’s history. It becomes an opportunity to ask what that history means for the University’s future —and how the lessons, achievements, relationships, and aspirations of today can shape the institution it will become.
The 2026 Charter Day celebration therefore served not only as a commemoration, but as a collective pause before a defining milestone: a moment to relive the journey, reflect on the present, and reimagine what lies ahead.
With one century within sight, USTP moves forward as one University — united by a shared vision and strengthened by a community committed to advancing science, technology, education, innovation, and service for generations to come.
Follow us:
Contact us:
+63(88)857-1738 local 1118
[email protected]
